The Nike Metcon 2 is as the name suggests, Nike’s second iteration of their Crossfit Shoe. Since Reebok owns the term “Crossfit", Nike simply refers to these shoes as trainer shoes. But we all know what big Nike is implying here. The Crossfiters on the GYMCADDY™ team put these shoes to the test and here’s what we think about them. Also, remember to pick up your GYMCADDY™ HERE.

We've also reviewed these shoe’s direct competitor the Reebok Crossfit Nano 6, which you can read HERE. Like we’ve mentioned before, Crossfit Shoes are a multitasker of a shoe. They have to support you when you're in a full sprint, but also be stable enough to act as a proper platform for you when you deadlift or squat with moderate weight. For that reason CrossFit shoes in general will always only be ok in any given category. If you're looking for a shoe that will give you a steady platform, heel elevation, and ankle support when you squat north of 315 pounds these are not the shoes for you. You need proper weightlifting shoes like the Adidas Adipower or the Nike Romaleos. If you’re looking for running shoes that give you ample padding and arch support then these aren't the shoes for you either. You need proper running shoes like the Reebok ZPrint 3D or Nike FlyKnit Max. But if you're looking for a shoe thats light weight, has proper padding for sprinting, a sturdy enough sole for moderate weight squats, and are designed to help you climb up a rope… then the Nike Metcon 2’s might be right for you.

The Design Of The Shoe

The Nike Metcon 2 are almost identical to the Original Nike Metcon’s. They are more of a refinement than an evolution of the originals.The design of the shoe is extremely minimalistic which is great if you don't want to be a walking advertisement. They come in various color combinations, and in the event you don't like any of the available designs you can even design your own on the Nike website. The shoe features a very large mesh toe box and is mostly covered by soft touch synthetic leather. It also features a raised sole design on both sides of the shoe that grips on a rope while rope climbing and also protects the shoe from said harsh abuse. The Metcon 2’s also employs Nike’s FlyWire technology which helps with the lock down of the shoe. Unfortunately this shoe’s tongue has very little padding and can cause discomfort. Thankfully these shoes come included with flat shoelaces that never untie while exercising.

Performance

The Nike Metcon 2 are very similar to other Crossfit shoes on the market, but still have their own way of differentiating themselves. First off they have a hardened plastic on the heel of the shoe. They allow your heels to glide on a wall when your doing standing wall push ups. At first we thought it wasn't going to work, but we were pleasantly surprised when they preformed beautifully. The plastic heel was easily our favorite part of the shoe. The Metcon 2 also feature grip pads for rope climbing like the Reebok Crossfit Nano 6 but the smaller surface area made them a little less effective then their competitor. The sole is cushioned enough for long runs and features a 4mm drop from the heel to the toes. The drop gives you minimal heel elevation for exercises like the squat and deadlift. Be warned, since the sole needs to be cushioned enough for running there will be some flexing if the weight goes above a certain amount. Just make sure you keep your runs to shorter distances, the lack of padding on the tongue will eventually cause discomfort.

Final Verdict

In conclusion, the Nike Metcon 2’s are a mixed bag of a shoe. They excel in some areas, but fall short in others. The lack of padding on the tongue of the shoe cause discomfort. These shoes are also a little too wide and the length runs short. Durability might also come into question after a few months of use. Our Nike Metcon 2 started to show signs of wear on the inside of the insole and the Nike logo started to show signs of peeling. But the Metcon 2’s makes up for its short comings via the hardened plastic on the heel and the hardened heel helps cup your foot when in a deep squat. The raised rubber on the outside of the heel is a welcomed design element that helps with rope climbing. Hopefully Nike will learn and implement community feedback in their next version of the shoe like Reebok did with theirs. If you're looking for a shoe with different color options then the Nike Metcon 2 is worth your money. But the GYMCADDY Team recommends the Reebok Crossfit Nano 6 over the Nike Metcon 2.